With less than 24 hours to go before New Zealand hosts its first ‘big feed’ – a rural telethon to help hungry Kiwi families this Christmas – Meat the Need is calling on all New Zealanders to back the cause.
The Big Feed, which takes place on December 15 and will run for 12-plus hours as a virtual event on social media, will be hosted by Meat the Need co-founder Wayne Langford, along with Rural Support Trust ambassador Matt Chisholm.
Langford, also known as the YOLO Farmer, co-founded the Meat the Need charity with Siobhan O’Malley of Pukeko Pastures, to enable farmers to help feed Kiwi families in need by providing the means for them to donate livestock through its charitable supply chain.
Media personality and The Big Feed co-host Chisholm, who has shared his own personal struggles as an advocate for mental wellbeing, took to social media to encourage New Zealanders to back the cause.
“Let’s show our friends and cousins in towns and cities across New Zealand that not only are our hard working farmers some of the most sustainable in the world, but they’re also some of the most giving,” he said in an Instagram post.
There are several ways to support The Big Feed – farmers can pledge livestock or milk, and anyone can donate $3 by texting FEED TO 206. You can also donate a virtual animal or a box of love.
Langford says donations are welcome in all shapes and sizes, and encourages farmers to donate an animal or a litre of milk per cow, adding that one culled cow could provide 555 mince meals for the food banks. The goal for The Big Feed is to raise enough donations for one million meals.
The event will be livestreamed from Lincoln and feature farmers from around the country, along with celebrity guests, entertainment, challenges and discussion panels.
